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  • K-pop Group RESCENE and Fans Raise Funds for Geoje Flood Recovery
    K-pop Group RESCENE and Fans Raise Funds for Geoje Flood Recovery 거제시 홍보대사로 활동 중인 걸그룹 리센느(RESCENE)와 팬덤 '리마인(RE:MINE)'이 최근 집중호우로 큰 피해를 입은 거제 지역을 위해 팔을 걷어붙였다. 아티스트와 팬덤, 광고주까지 합심해 총 1억 원에 달하는 성금을 모으며 훈훈함을 자아내고 있다. 19일 가요계에 따르면 리센느는 수해 복구와 이웃 돕기를 위해 5000만 원을 쾌척했다. 거제시는 멤버 원이의 고향으로 앞서 원이의 유튜브 채널에서 멤버 미나미가 외친 "거제 야호"라는 밈(유행어)이 화제를 모은 바 있다. 이를 계기로 거제시 홍보대사로 위촉된 리센느는 최근 지역에 뜻하지 않은 폭우 피해가 발생하자 무거운 마음을 안고 복구에 힘을 보탠 것으로 전해졌다. 아티스트의 뜻깊은 행보에 팬덤도 즉각 화답했다. 리센느의 팬덤 '리마인'은 지난 18일 희망브리지 전국재해구호협회에 '2026 수해 이웃돕기(리마인)' 전용 모금 페이지를 개설했다. 멤버의 고향을 돕자는 취지에 공감한 팬들은 커뮤니티에 기부를 인증하며 동참을 독려했고 모금 시작 하루 만인 19일 오전 9시 기준 4034만 8357원이 모였다. 여기에 리센느를 광고 모델로 기용한 기업 역시 피해 복구에 써달라며 1000만 원을 쾌척해 나눔의 의미를 더했다. 거제 지역은 지난 15일부터 17일까지 3일간 누적 강수량 928.0㎜라는 기록적인 폭우가 쏟아져 심각한 수해를 입었다. 이번에 모인 성금은 수재민들의 빠른 일상 회복과 지역 피해 복구를 위해 쓰일 예정이다. 한편 2024년 3월 데뷔한 5인조 걸그룹 리센느는 최근 '거제 야호' 밈의 대히트와 함께 과거 발표곡 '러브 어택(Love Attack)'이 역주행으로 음원차트 1위를 차지하는 등 뜨거운 사랑을 받으며 '대세 걸그룹'으로 자리매김하고 있다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 17:28:00
  • BigBangs 20th anniversary comes as older K-pop acts find new life
    BigBang's 20th anniversary comes as older K-pop acts find new life SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - K-pop boy band BigBang marked their 20th anniversary on Wednesday with their first digital single in four years, hoping to continue attracting attention years after their heyday. Their return comes as older K-pop groups are gaining renewed attention, attracting both longtime fans and younger listeners discovering their music years after their debut. But another shift is unfolding at the same time. While veteran acts are finding ways to stay together, some younger idols are choosing to leave successful groups earlier in their careers. "BiiiG," their first digital single in four years, is the group's first release since reshaping into a trio consisting of G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung. Demand has hardly faded. When general sales opened for the group's third world tour, "BIGBANG 2026 2027 WORLD TOUR XX : COSMOS," over 210,000 users logged in simultaneously. The kicks for Goyang concert where all three shows sold out within 22 minutes. It marked the highest ticket demand among concerts and events sold through Coupang Play this year. Old groups, new demand BigBang are hardly alone. I.O.I returned for their 10th anniversary and sent "Suddenly" to No. 1 on Melon's TOP100 and HOT100 charts. SeeYa came back after 15 years, while Wanna One reunited after roughly seven. Other anniversary projects have brought back acts including Secret, Boyfriend and Click-B. What matters is not simply how many groups have returned. It is that audiences are still showing up when they do. The appetite for established acts also goes beyond reunions. BTS never disbanded, but resumed full-group activity after all seven members completed their military service. Their comeback album "ARIRANG" spent three straight weeks atop the Billboard 200. The demand is visible in the concert market. Popular-music ticket sales in South Korea reached about 452.7 billion won in the first half of 2026, up 9.6 percent from a year earlier and accounting for 55.9 percent of total performance ticket sales, according to Korea Performing Arts Box Office shortened as KOPIS. Part of the explanation is simple: the fans grew up. Listeners who once bought albums with their allowance are now adults with money for concert tickets, merchandise and travel. BigBang's current promotion reflects that shift. A world-tour pop-up that opened Aug. 14 offers 58 official merchandise items, including a redesigned version of the group's signature light stick. Nostalgia has become a market of its own. Two fans, twenty years apart But not everyone buying into BigBang is looking backward. Kwon Sun, 20, found the group through YouTube. A compilation video introduced her to Daesung, and from there she worked backward through G-Dragon and Taeyang before becoming a fan of the group. "I didn't even know until recently that BigBang used to have five members," she said. She now listens regularly to G-Dragon's solo music and says BigBang's appeal lies in their distinctive voices, lyrics and songs that do not wear out after repeated plays. She did not get the seats she wanted for the Goyang concerts. She is going anyway, alone, with a new light stick and merchandise from the group's pop-up. Park Min-seok, born in 1995, came from the opposite direction. He grew up with BigBang and still plays songs such as "Fantastic Baby" and "Blue" when he travels, feels down or needs comfort. He never joined the official fan club but owns nearly every BigBang album on CD. Work will keep him from the concerts this week, but he has been waiting for the new release for months. "It's been so long since a real comeback," he said. "That's exactly why I'm looking forward to it." One discovered the group through an algorithm two decades after its debut. The other never really stopped listening. That mix of old and new fans is what gives veteran K-pop something more durable than a brief nostalgia cycle. Most groups never get this far BigBang's 20-year run is still rare. A study published by Kim Jung-sup, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, examined 1,182 Korean idol groups that debuted between 1996 and 2025. Their average period of activity was 4.12 years. About 55 percent remained active three years after debut. That fell to 36.6 percent after five years and 17.9 percent after a decade. Only 19 groups, or about 1.6 percent of the total, ever sold more than 1 million copies of a single album. Part of that short lifespan is built into the industry. K-pop's so-called "seven-year curse" grew around the industry's contract cycle. In July 2009, the Fair Trade Commission introduced a standard exclusive contract that made seven years a key limit for entertainment agreements. Later that month, three members of TVXQ sought a court injunction against SM Entertainment over their 13-year contracts, turning the dispute into one of K-pop's defining battles over long-term artist agreements. Ownership of group names can create another obstacle. Shinhwa fought for years over its trademark rights. Beast left Cube Entertainment in 2016 and continued as Highlight before eventually regaining rights to the Beast name. That is where comparisons with Western rock bands begin to break down. Bands often form independently of their labels and can continue as business arrangements change. K-pop groups are usually assembled by agencies, with members tied to individual contracts and much of the group's identity controlled within that system. The industry became very good at creating idols. Keeping the same group together for 20 years was never its strongest feature. While veterans stay, younger idols leave Yet another trend is pushing in the opposite direction. Some younger idols are no longer waiting until a group declines before choosing a different path. Heeseung left ENHYPEN in March after discussions with BELIFT LAB over his future direction. The group continued with six members. A month later, Mark left NCT when his contract with SM Entertainment ended, concluding his activities with NCT 127 and NCT Dream after nearly a decade. Neither departure came because the group had stopped selling records or attracting fans. That distinction matters. Commercial success once seemed to provide a strong reason for members to stay. Increasingly, it may not be enough on its own. Creative control and individual career choices are entering the equation earlier. At the same time, new groups continue to break through. Fifth-generation act CORTIS reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 with "GREENGREEN" this year. The issue, then, is not whether K-pop can still produce successful groups. It is whether success still means members will want to spend most of their careers inside one. Two directions K-pop is therefore moving along two tracks. Veteran acts with large catalogs and loyal fan bases increasingly have enough bargaining power to separate group activity from individual careers. BLACKPINK offers one version. Their members maintain their group relationship with YG Entertainment while pursuing solo careers separately. Girls' Generation offer another. SM Entertainment said Yuri's exclusive contract will end Aug. 31, while making clear she will remain a member of the group. For veteran acts, loosening the link between agency and group may actually help them stay together. For younger idols, the same flexibility can make leaving easier. The two trends are less contradictory than they first appear. Both weaken an older assumption of the K-pop system: that one agency, one contract and one group identity have to remain tied together for an idol career to work. At 6 p.m. Wednesday, a 20-year-old who discovered BigBang through YouTube and a longtime listener who grew up with the group will both be waiting for "BiiiG." Twenty years after BigBang's debut, K-pop has shown that an idol group can live long enough to become a legacy act. 2026-08-19 17:21:10
  • Rising Chicken Prices Drive Demand for Frozen Alternatives
    Rising Chicken Prices Drive Demand for Frozen Alternatives As delivery chicken prices soar past 20,000 won, frozen chicken is carving out its niche. Once seen merely as a convenient alternative to delivery chicken, frozen chicken is now enhancing its flavor and texture to become a viable option.According to the food industry on August 19, Dongwon F&B officially launched its frozen chicken brand 'Kebasak' today, marking its entry into the market. The new products include 'Kebasak Fried Chicken' and 'Kebasak Spicy Mayo Chicken,' both made with 100% chicken thigh meat and designed to be cooked in an air fryer for about 10 minutes.The key selling point for Kebasak is its 'crispiness.' The brand employs an 'air-crisping method' that creates tiny air bubbles in the batter and utilizes a 'double frying process' at both low and high temperatures. The name 'Kebasak' is inspired by the sound of freshly fried chicken.Kebasak is produced at Dongwon F&B's newly established Jincheon Plant in North Chungcheong Province, which features advanced European production facilities and quality control systems for frozen chicken. The facility continuously monitors the state of frying oil and minimizes temperature variations in frying equipment to ensure consistent product quality. This move signals Dongwon F&B's commitment to expanding frozen chicken as a new business segment rather than just adding a new product line.CJ CheilJedang has also ignited competition in the market. Launched in 2023 as part of its premium convenience food brand 'Gourmet,' 'Sobaba Chicken' recorded cumulative sales of 250 billion won and 25 million units sold in the first quarter of 2024. Following rapid growth, CJ CheilJedang established Sobaba as an independent chicken brand in June.In line with the brand's independence, CJ CheilJedang is expanding Sobaba's product lineup. New additions include the fried chicken line 'Goldenholic,' alongside existing flavors like Soy Honey, Seasoned Honey, and Massokick. The 'Goldenholic Fried Boneless Chicken,' introduced at the end of March, surpassed 6 billion won in sales within three months. Recently, the company launched bone-in chicken options, broadening its product choices.In the chicken franchise sector, BBQ is expanding its HMR business. In the first quarter of this year, sales in the HMR-focused distribution division nearly doubled compared to the same period last year. The variety of products increased by 56.3%, and the number of sales channels expanded from 11 to 18, a 63.6% increase. By broadening its sales channels to include BBQ Mall, online direct purchasing, large supermarkets, and home shopping, BBQ is capturing demand for its brand outside of physical stores. Mom's Touch is also selling three varieties of its HMR boneless chicken brand 'Ttoit Chicken,' including Spicy Cheese, Seasoned, and Honey Garlic.After discontinuing 'Chef Food Sopadak' at the end of last year, Lotte Wellfood is making moves to re-enter the frozen chicken market. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Lotte Wellfood submitted manufacturing reports for four new products last month: 'Kwasasak Crispy Chicken,' 'Kwasasak Hot Crispy Chicken,' 'Supreme Chicken,' and 'Spicy Mayo Chicken.' While the official launch date is not confirmed, this indicates preparations for new product releases.The surge in activity among these companies is driven by the growth of the frozen chicken market. According to Euromonitor, the domestic frozen chicken market is estimated to have grown from approximately 140 billion won in 2022 to around 160 billion won last year. When including ambient products, the processed chicken market reaches about 500 billion won.Rising dining-out prices have further highlighted the price competitiveness of frozen chicken. According to the National Data Agency, the chicken price index for dining out was 132.06 last month, reflecting a 10.8% increase compared to the same month three years ago, surpassing the overall dining price increase of 8.9% during the same period. Ordering a whole chicken from major franchises typically costs in the mid-20,000 won range, and with delivery fees, customers can expect to pay around 30,000 won. In contrast, frozen chicken can be purchased for around 10,000 won per package, allowing consumers to cook only the amount they need.Improvements in texture, once a weakness of frozen foods, have also contributed to increased demand. The popularity of air fryers and advancements in frying and coating technologies by food companies have enabled consumers to achieve a texture close to that of freshly fried chicken at home. CJ CheilJedang is focusing on sauce coating technology, while Dongwon F&B emphasizes its air-crisping method and double frying process, intensifying competition among manufacturers.A food industry insider stated, "As consumer burden regarding dining-out chicken prices has increased, and the taste and quality of frozen chicken have significantly improved since the advent of air fryers, the related market continues to grow. With existing companies expanding their brands and new entrants emerging, the ability to replicate the taste and texture of specialty shops will determine market competitiveness."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 17:20:00
  • SPC Group Expands Dining Portfolio with Chipotle Following Shake Shack Success
    SPC Group Expands Dining Portfolio with Chipotle Following Shake Shack Success SPC Group's Samidang Holdings is set to accelerate its restaurant business expansion by introducing the American Mexican brand Chipotle this year, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Shake Shack's entry into South Korea. Building on its experience in pioneering the premium burger market in 2016, the company aims to develop Mexican fast-casual dining as a new growth sector.According to industry sources, Samidang Holdings is preparing to open the first Chipotle location in Gangnam, Seoul, at the end of this month. This follows the establishment of a joint venture, S&C Restaurant Holdings, last year, with Big Bite Company holding a 51% stake and Chipotle Mexican Grill holding 49%. South Korea will be Chipotle's first market in Asia, with plans to open its first store in Singapore next year.This marks the first time Chipotle has entered an overseas market through a joint venture. The decision to partner with Samidang Holdings is likely influenced by the company's successful establishment of Shake Shack in South Korea and its expansion into Singapore and Malaysia.The relationship between Samidang Holdings and Shake Shack dates back 15 years. Heo Hee-soo, president of Big Bite Company, first encountered Shake Shack in New York in 2011 and sought to bring it to South Korea. Over five years, he traveled between New York and Seoul to negotiate with Shake Shack's founder, Danny Meyer. Amid competition from over 30 domestic companies vying for the rights to operate in Korea, Samidang Holdings secured a partnership contract based on its baking technology, quality control expertise, food infrastructure, and franchise management capabilities.When the first Shake Shack location opened in Gangnam in July 2016, over 1,500 customers lined up the night before. Long queues continued at new locations, driving growth in the domestic premium burger market. The initial goal of opening 25 locations by 2025 was achieved ahead of schedule, with 37 locations now operating as of July this year.The growth trajectory has been steady, with Shake Shack in South Korea recording an average annual revenue growth rate of 25% since its launch. The Gangnam location once held the record for the highest sales among Shake Shack locations worldwide. The operational experience gained in South Korea has translated into international business, with Samidang Holdings currently operating 11 locations in Singapore and four in Malaysia.Like Shake Shack, which popularized premium burgers in South Korea, Chipotle aims to target a dining category that has yet to gain widespread popularity in the country. If successful, Chipotle is expected to elevate Mexican cuisine to a more mainstream dining option.A representative from Samidang Holdings stated, "We plan to continue the qualitative and quantitative growth of Shake Shack both domestically and internationally. Chipotle will serve as an opportunity to expand our experience in brand introduction and localization into a new dining category." 2026-08-19 17:20:00
  • South Korean Prime Minister Calls for Swift Construction of New Housing by 2030
    South Korean Prime Minister Calls for Swift Construction of New Housing by 2030 South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook visited the construction site of the Incheon Gyeyang District, the first area set to welcome residents among the third new towns, on August 19. She urged officials to ensure that most housing units are under construction by 2030.During a site inspection meeting in Incheon, Han stated, "The success of the August 13 measures announced last week depends on how quickly we can proceed. It is crucial for agencies like the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) to perform their roles effectively."She added, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and related agencies should utilize all available means to ensure that most housing units in the third new towns begin construction by 2030. It would be beneficial to share any areas for improvement immediately."Han emphasized the importance of building quality homes quickly, stating, "We will prioritize thorough inspections and focus on ensuring that essential infrastructure, such as transportation, education, electricity, water supply, and district heating, is established without delays."After inspecting the construction site, she remarked, "As Korea enters the ranks of developed countries, we must create homes that meet the quality standards for both sale and rental."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 17:16:20
  • Controversy Erupts Over Kim Jun-hwans Remarks About Defector Park Chung-kwon
    Controversy Erupts Over Kim Jun-hwan's Remarks About Defector Park Chung-kwon Kim Jun-hwan, a member of the Democratic Party, apologized on August 19 after facing backlash for disrespectful comments directed at Park Chung-kwon, a defector from North Korea and member of the People Power Party.During a meeting of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, Kim referred to Park, saying, "You are someone who used to shout 'Long live Kim Il-sung.' So be more careful with your words." Following this remark, Kim reportedly left the meeting without offering a separate apology.In response, Park expressed disbelief during the afternoon session, stating, "I doubted my ears. Along with over 34,000 other defectors, I rejected the dictatorship of the Kim family and chose the free democratic Republic of Korea." He added, "To label someone like me as a person who used to shout 'Long live Kim Il-sung' denies the lives and efforts of all defectors."Kim Dae-sik, the People Power Party's Foreign Affairs Committee secretary, also called for an official apology from Kim, emphasizing that the committee should not further stigmatize defectors.As the controversy grew, Kim Jun-hwan stated, "I feel deeply sorry for causing unforgivable pain to my fellow lawmakers."Kim Jun-hwan has a background working with the National Intelligence Service, while Park Chung-kwon was born in 1986 in Hamhung and entered South Korea in 2009.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 17:16:00
  • Reyna Lees Solo Exhibition JOY BEYOND Opens at Chinas 1892 Art Center
    Reyna Lee's Solo Exhibition 'JOY BEYOND' Opens at China's 1892 Art Center Reyna Lee's solo exhibition, 'JOY BEYOND – Life Passes, Joy Blooms,' opened on August 17 at the 1892 Art Center within the Jangyu Wine Culture Museum in Yantai, Shandong Province, China.The exhibition, running until September 16, features over 20 paintings that highlight Lee's signature vibrant colors and free brushwork.Lee organized the exhibition into five themes: 'Everyday Life, Where Joy Resides,' 'Moments, When Flowers Bloomed,' 'My Little Treasures,' 'Contemplation, In the Face of Time's Traces,' and 'JOY, Rising Again.' Through the interplay of light and color in ordinary landscapes, the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms, the unique glow of birthstones, and the marks of time etched on old walls, she captures the precious moments of life.In her works, joy transcends mere emotion. As different colors collide and overlap to create harmony, the strength of existence expands through the accumulation of life's wounds, memories, love, and relationships. The recurring dots in her pieces symbolize an individual's life, emotions, and connections, with the varied colors coming together to create a greater resonance and harmony.This exhibition is particularly noteworthy as it showcases the sensibility and vitality of contemporary Korean art in a historical space rich with over 130 years of industrial heritage and wine culture.The Jangyu Wine Culture Museum is recognized as the starting point of China's modern wine industry, housing the 130-year history of the Jangyu brand. The establishment of the Jangyu Wine Company in 1892 by Chinese entrepreneur Zhang Bishi marked the beginning of industrialized wine production in China.Officially opened in 1992 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Jangyu, this museum is China's first specialized wine museum and a first-class national museum. It has also been designated as a national 4A-level tourist site, acknowledging its historical, cultural, and industrial significance.The 1892 Art Center, where the exhibition is held, is a cultural and artistic space utilizing a more than 100-year-old Sino-Western architectural structure known to be Zhang Bishi's former residence. It serves as a representative multi-arts space of the Jangyu Wine Culture Museum, blending the charm of its historic red-roofed architecture with wine culture and contemporary art.Reyna Lee, whose artistic name 'Johee' means 'to create joy,' has expressed the joy, comfort, healing, and vitality she discovers in life through her works.She majored in Western painting at Ewha Womans University and earned her master's degree from Konkuk University, where she received the President's Award. Lee has won the 2026 Asia Artist Award and the Grand Prize in Western Painting at the 2025 Aju Artist Grand Prix, and has held solo and invited exhibitions in major cities including Seoul, Beijing, Qingdao, and Shanghai.Currently, she serves as the chairperson of the Aju Global Art Fair, cultural and artistic advisor for Aju Economy's China headquarters, and chairperson of the Aju International Art Exchange Exhibition, actively promoting cultural and artistic exchanges between Korea and China.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 17:12:20
  • Reyna Lees Solo Exhibition JOY BEYOND Opens at Chinas 1892 Art Center
    Reyna Lee's Solo Exhibition 'JOY BEYOND' Opens at China's 1892 Art Center Reyna Lee's solo exhibition, 'JOY BEYOND – Life Passes, Joy Blossoms,' opened on August 17 at the 1892 Art Center within the Jangyu Wine Culture Museum in Yantai, Shandong Province, China.The exhibition, which runs until September 16, features over 20 paintings that highlight Lee's signature vibrant colors and free brushwork.Lee organized the exhibition into five themes: 'Everyday Life, Where Joy Resides,' 'Moments, When Flowers Bloom,' 'My Little Treasures,' 'Contemplation, In the Face of Time's Traces,' and 'JOY, Rising Again.' Through light and color in ordinary landscapes, the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms, the unique glow of birthstones, and the traces of time etched on old walls, she captures precious moments in life.In her works, joy transcends mere emotion. As different colors collide and overlap to create harmony, they symbolize the strength of existence formed by the accumulation of life's wounds, memories, love, and relationships. The recurring dots in her pieces represent an individual's life, emotions, and connections, with each color contributing to a greater resonance and harmony.This exhibition is particularly noteworthy as it showcases the sensibility and vitality of contemporary Korean art in a historical space rich with over 130 years of industrial heritage and wine culture.The Jangyu Wine Culture Museum is recognized as the starting point of China's modern wine industry, housing the 130-year history of the Jangyu brand. The establishment of the Jangyu Yangjiu Company in 1892 by Chinese entrepreneur Zhang Bishi marked the beginning of industrialized wine production in China.Officially opened in 1992 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Jangyu, this museum is China's first specialized wine museum and a national first-class museum. It has also been designated as a 4A-level tourist attraction, acknowledging its historical, cultural, and industrial significance.The 1892 Art Center, where the exhibition is held, is a cultural and artistic space utilizing a more than 100-year-old Sino-Western architectural structure known to be Zhang Bishi's former residence. It serves as a representative multi-arts space of the Jangyu Wine Culture Museum, blending the charm of its red-roofed architecture with wine culture and contemporary art.Reyna Lee, whose artistic name 'Johee' means 'to create joy,' has expressed joy, comfort, healing, and vitality found in life through her works.She majored in Western painting at Ewha Womans University and earned her master's degree from Konkuk University, where she received the President's Award. She has won the 2026 Asia Artist Award and the Grand Prize in Western Painting at the 2025 Aju Artist Grand Prix, and has held solo and invited exhibitions in major cities including Seoul, Beijing, Qingdao, and Shanghai.Currently, she serves as the chairperson of the Aju Global Art Fair, cultural and artistic advisor for Aju Economy's China headquarters, and chairperson of the Aju International Art Exchange Exhibition, actively promoting cultural and artistic exchanges between Korea and China.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 17:12:00
  • Daewoo Engineering Wins $310 Million Housing Project in Cheongju
    Daewoo Engineering Wins $310 Million Housing Project in Cheongju Daewoo Engineering has secured a contract for a new multi-family housing project worth 310 billion won in the Songjeol 2 district of Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.On August 19, the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system reported that Daewoo Engineering signed a construction contract with Nasun Co., Ltd. for the "Cheongju Songjeol 2 Urban Development Area A1 Block Multi-Family Housing Construction Project" the previous day. The contract amount is 312.65 billion won, which represents approximately 3.88% of the company's consolidated revenue from last year.This project involves the development of multi-family housing and associated facilities in the Songjeol-dong area of Cheongju. The contract is with a corporation related to the project implementation, and the construction period and contract amount may change depending on future permits and project progress.Songjeol 2 district is one of the urban development sites adjacent to the Cheongju Technopolis. The city has previously planned to supply 4,751 multi-family housing units and semi-residential facilities through the Songjeol-dong urban development projects 1 to 4. The Songjeol 2 area was formerly the site of a livestock market, and it is reported that the developer has received consent for relocation and land use from the agricultural cooperative.The Songjeol-dong area is gaining attention as a new residential area due to the expansion of the Technopolis and the demand from the surrounding industrial complex. In particular, Cheongju Technopolis is being developed as a region that combines industrial facilities, such as SK Hynix, with residential and commercial functions, leading to expectations for increased housing demand in the vicinity.A construction industry official stated, "The Cheongju Songjeol district is expected to see residential demand due to its location linked to the Technopolis."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-19 17:12:00
  • Türkiye rejects Israeli claim on troop deployment at Syrian airbase
    Türkiye rejects Israeli claim on troop deployment at Syrian airbase SEOUL, August 19 (AJP) - The justification Israel gave for bombing a Syrian airbase this week, that Turkish soldiers were about to deploy there, was rejected in full by Ankara on Wednesday, which called the allegations untenable and said their purpose was to make unlawful strikes appear legitimate. Eight strikes hit the runway at the Abu al-Duhur airbase in eastern Idlib province early Tuesday, damaging runways and hangars without killing anyone, according to Syria's state broadcaster Ekhbariya, citing a military source. The base lies about 70 kilometers east of the Turkish border and has not operated as a dedicated military airfield since 2013, having changed hands repeatedly during the civil war. Israel said nothing for most of the day, and its military declined to comment, leaving the Turkish foreign ministry and Damascus to condemn an attack nobody had yet claimed. Ankara called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for disregarding international law, while Damascus called the strikes an act of aggression and a violation of the United Nations Charter. Confirmation came instead from Washington, where Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syria and Iraq who also serves as ambassador to Türkiye, said Israel had carried out the attack and called it an unnecessary escalation that did not advance regional stability. The Israeli explanation arrived roughly 20 hours after the bombs fell, in an English statement posted on X by the Prime Minister's Office, which said Israel and Syria had agreed to a status quo in security matters that Syria was on the verge of breaching by permitting Turkish troops to deploy at an airbase near Aleppo, and that Damascus had ignored repeated warnings. Turkish forces have been rebuilding Syria's army since Ahmed al-Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending more than five decades of family rule. The two defense ministers signed a training and consultancy memorandum in Ankara last August, Syrian cadets entered Turkish military academies that October, and Syrian troops joined multinational exercises in western Türkiye in May, all of it at the invitation of the government in Damascus. Israeli forces hold their own ground in Syria without that invitation, occupying positions inside the buffer zone patrolled by the United Nations on the Golan Heights and on Mount Hermon since December 2024, taken after Netanyahu declared the 1974 disengagement agreement void. Damascus wants them gone as a condition for any security arrangement, and Defense Minister Israel Katz has said they will stay. Türkiye's Directorate of Communications answered the following day. "The untenable allegations put forward by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office are intended to legitimise Israel's unlawful airstrikes targeting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement said. Ankara did not stop at denial but tied the accusations to Israeli domestic politics, saying they stem from Netanyahu's intent to pursue expansionist and destabilising policies in the region ahead of the elections in Israel, where voters go to the polls on October 27, the last date the law allows. Barrack, for his part, said the strike reflected a perception, accurate or misplaced, that Türkiye might soon expand its presence at the base, and that Washington is working to build a deconfliction channel linking Israel, Syria and Türkiye. "The sole path to this objective lies in Netanyahu's abandonment of his aggressive and coercive policies and in his respect for international law," Ankara's statement said. 2026-08-19 17:08:41